Korean women gave birth to 490,000 babies last year, equaling a fertility rate of 1.17, the lowest ever. Korea's birth rate, which was 4.53 in 1970, has steadily dropped along with economic growth. It was 2.83 in 1980, 1.59 in 1990, 1.47 in 2000 and 1.3 in 2001.

The male death rate of [men] in their 40s was three times higher than that of female Koreans in their 40s, the National Statistical Office (NSO) said yesterday. A Seoul college professor said, "the nation's male workers are still suffering from more excessive work loads and hours than any other country."
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200308/kt2003082717422411860.htm

What about drinking and smoking contributing to the rate of death of males?

Joined: 18 Aug 2003Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2003 6:37 pm Post subject:

Yeah. The men drink and smoke astronomically more than the women. That may explain the huge difference. The prof's citing of excessive workloads is spurious. Just look at how much more the women work! Ajummas are probably cranky from the long days they have to put in while the men are off puffing and chugging and Gord knows what else.

Given that China employs 70%+ their worldforce directly and indirectly in farming, I can't see them becoming a Korea overnight.

But I will liberate Mei Li Xin Shi Jie from the shackles that binds her! Or them, as it might be the name of the group. My Chinese is pretty much limited to the westernized version of their foods and thus not really useful in understanding anything people write or say.